hottest summer shows

13 best stage shows for a hot summer theater experience in Houston

Houston theater never takes a vacation, so with three months of hot and humid days ahead, why not light up the nights with the coolest of comedies, musicals, drama, and a few experimental, cutting-edge shows.

In fact there’s so much live theater debuting June through August, it’s almost as if an arts genie appeared to grant us our every show wish. Oh wait, he has.

So with that in mind, we’ve rounded up 13 must-see shows to check out our summer.

The Three Musketeers at The Alley Theatre (now through June 30)
All for one (action packed theatrical summer) and one for all (of the family) as the Alley assembles a swashbuckling cast in lots of silly hats for Alexandre Dumas’ crowd pleaser. But sword wielding isn’t just for the boys, and in this Ken Ludwig adaptation, young hero d’Artagnan brings along his sister Sabine, who’s just as ready for some high-jumping dueling of her own.

Josephine Tonight at Ensemble Theatre (June 22-July 28)
The legendary Josephine Baker gets her own and much deserved musical bio in this show by Sherman Yellen with music by Wally Harper. With a focus on Baker’s early life and relationship with her mother, the production will likely reveal hidden facets for those who are familiar with the music icon, while introducing the actress/singer to a new generation of soon to be fans.

Disney’s Aladdin at the Hobby Center (June 26-July 14)
Sure you can see it at the cineplex, but wouldn’t you rather meet Aladdin, Jasmine, and especially everyone’s favorite wise cracking Genie live on stage? Broadway at the Hobby Center brings the musical blockbuster to town as to show Houston "A Whole New World” of fun.

West Side Story at A.D Players (June 28-July 28)
Last year was the 100th birthday of two artistic geniuses, composer Leonard Bernstein and director/choreographer Jerome Robbins. A.D. Players keeps the celebration going as they present one of the greatest works of both men, the Romeo and Juliet-inspired West Side Story. Get ready to rumble as the Sharks and Jets dance/fight while love blooms between star-crossed lovers Tony and Maria.

Broken Bone Bathtub presented by Dinolion, June 27-July 7
One of Houston’s primary creators of new immersive theater projects, Dinolion, is getting into the presenting (show) biz, as they bring in this internationally acclaimed theatrical work. The one-woman show will play in a real bathroom at a Houston home. After a serious bike accident, a young woman is forced to ask friends for help in everyday activities. The audience of only about 12 play the friends role but in such close bath quarters will likely become real life friends pretty quickly. Dinolion will divulge the location of bathroom/theater space with ticket purchase.

Speeding Motorcycle from Catastrophic Theatre at the MATCH (June 28-Aug 4)
Houston’s own theatrical dynamo Tamarie Cooper takes a break from creating her annual musical review this summer, but she’ll still be hard at work directing this rock opera that originally won national exposure for writer and Catastrophic co-founder Jason Nodler. Based on the music of influential Texas songwriter Daniel Johnston, Motorcycle tells the story of Joe the Boxer, who loses his mind when his true love marries an undertaker. With cameos from characters of Johnston’s mythology, including Jeremiah the Frog, Captain America, and Casper the Friendly Ghost, we expect nothing less than brilliant madness from this Cat offering.

The Doyle and Debbie Show at Stages Theatre (July 12-September 8)
Stages 2019-2020 season officially begins this summer with a musical comedy that sounds a bit like A Star Is Born meets a Christopher Guest film. When a several-times divorced, fading country music star needs a new partner he picks a talented unknown, his third Debbie, but will she soon eclipse him? With songs like “When You’re Screwin’ Other Women (Think of Me)” and “Barefoot and Pregnant,” the show looks to play fond parody tribute to classic country western duos.

Private Lives at Main Street Theater (July 14-Aug 11)
If you’re in the mood for some high sparkling comedy, well no one did it better than Sir Noël Coward. A volatile divorced couple end up in adjacent rooms at the same hotel while each is on their honeymoon with a new spouse. What could go wrong as old and new love create three acts of sparks and the wittiest of repartee? For Main Street patrons wanting to immerse themselves in the high society hijinks, the company is hosting a special gala performance July 20th benefitting the theater.

Seussical from Theatre Under the Stars at Miller Outdoor Theatre (July 16-21)
A most famous cat in a stylish top hat tells quite a tale filled with elephants, green eggs, a judging turtle, and many fine citizens of Who-ville in this musical wonderland based on Dr. Seuss books. As part of a new TUTS initiative, as many as 100 community members from TUTS Public Works Houston join a cast of professional actors for the production. With students from the Humphreys School of Musical Theatre and The River Performing and Visual Arts Center also participating, Seussical will have the largest cast ever on stage in a TUTS production.

Woyzeck at Rec Room (July 17-August 3)
The 19th century German playwright Georg Büchner died before he could complete this unfinished masterpiece, so writers from all over the world have been playing with it ever since. This world premiere new version by Maurielle McGarvey takes this tale of love, jealousy, and murder, and puts it in suburban America in homes filled with adolescent anxiety. Rec Room is giving the production a “for mature audiences” warning, so we’ll be there opening night.

Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express at The Alley (July 19-August 25)
Move over Christmas Carol. That other favorite seasonal theatrical tradition, Summer Chills, is back at the Alley, and they’re bringing in OG detective Hercule Poirot, once again played by Houston acting treasure James Black. Get your ticket to ride the ultimate murder train, and if you already know whodunit in Christie’s most famous tale, well it’s all about the thrill of the killing journey.

Shakespeare Festival at Miller Outdoor Theatre (August 2-11)
It wouldn’t be a theatrical summer without Shakespearean drama and comedy in Hermann Park. This year brings Julius Caesar, filled with political intrigue and in performance much better than what you remember from 10th grade English. For those looking for romance, head into the woods for As You Like It. The title says it all.

Rent at the Hobby Center (August 6-11)
Summer becomes the season of love as the 20th anniversary touring production of the Tony- and Pulitzer Prize-winning rock musical phenomenon dances into Houston, and the artists and outcasts of NY’s East Village, struggling to pay the rent, remind us to measure life in love.

James Black is back as Hercule Poirot in Murder on the Orient Express at the Alley.

Alley Theatre presents Murder on the Orient Express

Photo by Allyson Huntsman

James Black is back as Hercule Poirot in Murder on the Orient Express at the Alley.

theater

your attention please

Houston Grand Opera names Rice alum James Gaffigan its next music director

Photo by Claire McAdams

Houston Grand Opera names James Gaffigan as next Music Director

Opera lovers in the audience for the Houston Grand Opera’s magnificent season opening production of Porgy and Bess didn’t know it, but they were hearing HGO’s future. James Gaffigan, the acclaimed conductor of the performance will no longer be called an honored guest to the company and our city; instead, he’ll make the Wortham Center his new home.

HGO announced on Thursday, November 6, that Gaffigan will serve as the fifth music director in its 70-year history, leading the company alongside general director and CEO Khori Dastoor. He replaces Patrick Summers, who announced last year that he would step down as artistic and music director at the end of the 2025-26 season.

When Gaffigan begins his term as music director designate for the 2026-27 season and then assumes the full role of music director in the 2027-28 season, he won’t find Houston an unfamiliar landscape. Though originally from New York, Gaffigan once lived here while earning his master’s degree from the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University.

After his time at Rice, he quickly rose to international superstardom in both symphonic and operatic circles. He has conducted some of the greatest orchestras around the country, including the New York Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic, and many others. In Europe he has taken the podium at the London Symphony Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Deutsches Symphonie Orchester Berlin, and more.

In 2011, he made both his HGO and American operatic debut with the company’s production of The Marriage of Figaro. He has also become a very welcome guest conductor for national and international opera houses, including the Metropolitan Opera, Bayerische Staatsoper, Opéra National de Paris, Lyric Opera of Chicago, and more.

For the past several years, he has made a home in Europe serving as the general music director of Komische Oper Berlin, and he recently completed his fourth and final season as music director of the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía in Valencia, Spain.

Even with such a strong global presence, this Rice Owl continues to migrate back to Houston, guest conducting the Houston Symphony several times. Last year, he lead the first-ever performance by the HGO Orchestra at the annual Eleanor McCollum Competition for Young Singers Concert of Arias.

Gaffigan’s ties to Houston are so strong that back in 2011, CultureMap’s own society king and classical music expert, Joel Luks, pondered if Gaffigan might be an excellent candidate for Houston Symphony director upon Han Graf ’s retirement. Luks, who attended the Shepherd School at the same time as Gaffigan, lauded the maestro’s sense of musical timing, charisma, and spirit.

$\u200bHouston Grand Opera names James Gaffigan as next Music Director$

Photo by Claire McAdams

Houston Grand Opera has named James Gaffigan as its next Music Director.

“He seems to understand music-making in a macro level, presenting a cohesive interpretation, while allowing musicians freedom of expression,” described Luks, also noting Gaffigan’s ability to connect with musicians and audiences, alike.

It turns out Luks’s prediction for a musical directorship for Gaffigan was only off by 14 years and about a theater district block, the distance from Jones Hall to the Wortham Center.

“I always knew that the first post I would take in the United States as music director had to be the perfect fit,” Gaffigan said in a statement. “All the boxes needed to be ticked. As I considered which institution, which city, and which community aligned with my dreams and goals for an American institution, I found HGO to be my ideal partner. In my opinion, HGO is the most exciting opera company in the United States. It is rare to find such a healthy institution, with tremendous potential, and a solid foundation on which to build.”

Gaffigan went on to reminisce that he has admired HGO since his early twenties.

“When walking into the building, I get a sense of community and excitement for our art form and the importance it has in our lives. I feel the same from the people in the greater Houston area. Houstonians want great art. Under Khori Dastoor’s leadership, the company has flourished, and it has become clear to me that the sky is the limit. I can’t wait to return to this city and start our thrilling new chapter together.”

Dastoor sings similar praises for Gaffigan.

“To welcome James Gaffigan back to Houston, and to HGO, as our new music director represents the fulfillment of an ambitious dream,” stated Dastoor. “This fall, Houston audiences have had the incredible opportunity to witness his passion, electric energy, and mind-blowing artistry at the podium. I am overjoyed that today’s leading American conductor — who embodies a new generation of music-making at the highest level — has chosen to invest fully in this company. James was steeped in the art and culture of Houston on his way to finding phenomenal international success. His return is both a testament to our city and a reflection of HGO’s ascendance as a force in the global opera industry.”

For those wanting to get a taste of that passion and energy Gaffigan will bring to his role as Houston Grand Opera music director, he conducts Porgy and Bess November 7 and 9.

performing-arts houston grand opera james gaffigan